2012 Nissan JUKE Press Kit

2012 Nissan JUKE Press Kit: Overview

The Nissan JUKE™ sport cross, which rocketed onto the automotive scene in 2011, moves into its sophomore season with a well-earned reputation as one of the boldest designs and most spirited performers in the traditional B-segment hatchback field.

"Nissan has always been a company willing to stretch the envelope, to combine seemingly contradictory principles and make it work - such as 'affordable' and 'performance' to create the original Z, or 'small footprint' and 'big interior' in the current Nissan cube," said Ian Forsyth, Director, Corporate and Product Planning, Nissan Canada Inc. "The JUKE has shaken up the market with a boldness, style and sense of fun that it was never seen before - at a time when sales are exploding with buyers looking for just such a combination." A Bold Urban Sport Cross Like Nissan's other two popular crossovers, the Murano and Rogue, the JUKE combines the best qualities of a sporty sedan and SUV, fusing them together in a uniquely Nissan way with value, quality, efficiency, safety and driving pleasure.

JUKE's aggressive styling brings a breath of fresh air to the segment. Built on Nissan's proven global B-platform, JUKE features a powerful front end treatment with the turn signals integrated into the front fenders, a high beltline and coupe-like falling roofline. Other exterior details include body-coloured outside mirrors and front door handles, "hidden" rear door handles and integrated roof spoiler.

JUKE also offers generous ground clearance with the standard 17-inch wheels and tires. Adding to the authentic SUV look is a broad shoulder line, large wheel arches and lower bodywork that seems to emerge from under the vehicle. Above the waistline, JUKE shows its sporty side with a raked windshield, upswept rear side windows and canopy-like glass. The lights also reflect JUKE's sporty agility, with the front lights split into two distinct elements, with the main lamps drawing inspiration from rally car lights. Fog lights are available, on SL trim level. In the rear, the taillights share a resemblance with the distinctive "boomerang" design found on the latest generation Nissan 370Z. The JUKE colour palette includes a range of eight exterior offerings.

The JUKE interior is equally aggressive with bolstered front seats, a wide instrument panel and a unique centre console inspired by a motorcycle fuel tank and finished in a high-gloss two-coat paint. The gearshift sits on top of the console, inspired by sports car driver/shifter positioning.

"The centre console design clearly makes the statement that JUKE is no ordinary compact crossover," said Forsyth. "It's an unexpected touch that reinforces JUKE's active, sporty attitude, while also helping create a sense of a true driver's cockpit."

Another unique element of the JUKE interior is the Integrated Control (I-CON) system drive mode selector, which offers three different throttle/transmission/steering response settings - Normal for everyday driving, Sport for a more intense performance feel and Eco for maximum efficiency. It adjusts throttle, transmission and steering feel for the precise ride the driver desires. I-CON also serves as a central command centre and display module, adopting different display colours and functions depending on how it is being used. In Climate mode, the display shows the interior temperature settings while the "buttons" display air flow preferences. In the "D-Mode," the buttons change to the three driving modes and the display shows engine and drive related dials and information.

Available interior features include leather-appointed seats, heated front seats and RearView Monitor, Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Push Button Ignition, XM Satellite Radio, upgraded speakers with Rockford Fosgate powered subwoofer, USB connector for iPod® and other devices, power sliding moonroof, and navigation system. Three interior colours are offered. An Advanced Drivetrain Powering the all-new JUKE is a standard 1.6-litre Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG™) Turbo, 16-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy inline 4-cylinder engine rated at 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The engine, the first application in North America, combines the best of both worlds - responsive performance and good fuel economy. Direct injection helps improve combustion, enhancing power, torque, economy and emissions. The use of the turbocharger and intercooler also help boost power, while the variable timing control for both intake and exhaust cycles improves low-end engine response.

JUKE's new torque vectoring AWD system not only splits torque up to 50:50 between the front and rear wheels, it also can split torque from side-to-side across the rear axle. By monitoring vehicle speed, wheel speed, gear position, steering angle, lateral G forces and vehicle yaw rate, torque can be increased to the outside rear wheel in corners to help reduce understeer and enhance the car's cornering feel. In total, up to 50% of the total available engine torque can be sent to either rear wheel.

"JUKE has a small footprint but the solid feel and ride comfort of a larger vehicle," said Forsyth. "The direct injection turbocharged engine lets you tap into serious power when you want, while offering the fuel-efficiency of a small displacement engine. In the same way, the new torque vectoring AWD system allows all-wheel drive performance in conjunction with enhanced maneuverability. It's a great combination of features for a vehicle in this segment."

Every 2012 JUKE comes equipped with the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage, dual-threshold front air bags and seat belt and occupant classification sensors, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection, seat-mounted driver and front passenger side-impact supplemental air bags and front-seat Active Head Restraints.